Float for swimmers



R. c;. ZOR N FLOAT on SWIMMERSY Oct. 7 1924.

Filed Feb. 2, 1924 INVENTOR ECTZarn QQQkMM ATTORN EY wn-uzssis RAYMOND G. ZORN, OE GALVESTON, TEXAS.

FLOAT son SWIMMERS.

Application filed February To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RAYMOND C. ZORN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Galveston, in the county of Galveston and State f Texas, have invented new and useful Improvements in Floats for Swimmers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of this invention is to provide a float of special construction serving as a type of sea sled, in that it is designed for fitting the chest and shoulders of the swimmer, and not only provides buoyancy but lifts the head and shoulders sufliciently to permit of a clear stroke in swimming, and provides a smooth curved surface' for contact with the water.

A further object is to provide a device useful in surf bathing and for swimming in any body of water,-an inexperienced swimmer being fully protected and an expert swimmer being safe from danger incident to the development of cramps or the like.

A still further object is to provide a derice or" this type which may be economically manufactured from sheet metal in such form as to fit the body and which will necessitate only the use of simple securing means.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a view of the device in side elevation; Figure 2 1nay be considered as a plan view and shows the side adjacent to the, body 01 the wearer, when in use; Figure 3 is a section through the body of the float; Figure 4 shows section 10 prior to the bending of the longitudinal tongues.

The device is formed of two sheet metal blanks 10 and 12 each having one end cut in U form as shown at 13, providing tongues M and 15.

These blanks are pressed into the shape illustrated in succeeding views, wherein edge flanges are shown at 16, and the tongues of the blank are curved and flanged as illustrated, the curvature being such that when the body of the float to be constructed lies across the chest of the user, the curved por tions will fit the shoulders. The flanged portions of the two blanks are then secured to gether by soldering or welding to form a watertight sheet metal float, and loop members 18 are secured in suitable positions for engagement by the straps and belt, of cotton webbing or leather.

2, 1924. Serial No. 690,222.

A belt 20 serves an obvious purpose, and shoulder straps :21, 22 are connected with those loops 18 secured to the shoulder members of the float, the other ends of the shoulder straps being secured to loops 18 near the opposite end of the device. 7

As previously intimated, the head and shoulders of the user are lifted, and the smooth curved surface at 24 permits of use with every advantage and but little obstruo tion'to forward movement. a

hat I claim is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow body of water-tight construction and provided with flat surfaces merging at one end into curved surfaces proportioned to lit the shoulders of the wearer when one flat surface lies across the chest, and means for securing the device to the body of the wearer.

52. A device of the class described, comprising a hollow watertight body provided with a cutaway portion at one end, said body having flat surfaces merging at one end into curved surfaces of sled runner type, and means for securing the device to the chest and shoulders of the wearer 3. A device of the class described, comprising a float provided with a cutaway portion at one end, said body having substan tially flat surfaces merging into curved surfaces of sled runner type, and means for se curing the device to the chest and shoulders of the wearer.

A device of the class described, comity of sheets of material having flanged edge portions, each sheet being formed with spaced tongues at one end, the tongues being flanged and curved in the same direc tion, and said elements being connected along their flanged portions, to form a water-tight float.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

RAYMOND Zoinv. 

